Newsletter

Response to Phelps news from social media

Commenters on Facebook, CJOnline and Twitter weigh in

People began posting comments to the story about Fred Phelps Sr. being in hospice care and his possible excommunication from the church quickly after it was posted at CJOnline, Facebook and Twitter. Here is a sampling.

Robobuzz: “May God have mercy on his Soul? That is what we are taught to ask for when someone dies. How does one say that to Fred Phelps, Sr? I believe a forgiving person can. I cannot.” (from CJOnline)

Steve Brennan: “I just got back home from my church this morning (a church they have picketed in the past) and I will remember to pray for him, and his family during this difficult time.” (from Facebook)

John not the baptist @Carnalnature: “@Regina_Universe well good for them they have more empathy than I do. #WBC and all of its ilk are a scourge upon this earth.” (from Twitter)

Benjamin Droge: “Lead by example Topeka. We should be praying for him.regardless of his actions.” (from Facebook)

Mixolydian: “Senior was excommunicated? How does that happen? I thought he was the one who did the excommunicating? Love to hear the story behind that one. The snake eating its own tail.” (from CJOnline)

Donald Davidson: “now is the time for Topeka to show that we are better than the Phelps clan.” (from Facebook)

Bob Ray @tpabob46: “@thepoliticalcat I wouldn’t picket a Phelps funeral. I would however celebrate the beginning of the end of this cult #WBC” (from Twitter)

Rrh: “Extremely hard to say this, but “Father forgive him, for he knew not what he was doing.” --to paraphrase Jesus Christ” (from CJOnline)

Mary Walker: “If any good comes out of his death, I would hope it would be that the the Phelps family will heal and that they can reunite with those who have left or were shunned. Maybe now with Fred Sr gone, they can become a normal family and stop fearing Sr’s wrath and judgment.” (from Facebook)

Adjutant jim: “Should us Veterans protest at his funeral? I think not. Should we morn the loss of this man? That is a personal preference.” (from CJOnline)

David Evans @Dalek_Dave: “I hope Fred Phelps’ funeral is picketed by thousands of people with signs... and I hope every sign reads, “We Forgive You”. #WBC #Westboro” (from Twitter)

Dylan Wachsnicht: “Although he deserves to burn in hell I pray he spends eternity in heaven with all those he condemned .” (from Facebook)

The_big_bee: “The Patriot Guard taught us what to do ... At moments when you feel the urge to sink down and lash out, The Patriot Guard taught us to stand tall and to rise above that which offends us. In that spirit ... no further comment.” (from CJOnline)

Brandy Kern-Anderson: Good!! Lets picket his funeral now!! I got a few signs I would love to show his family!!” (from Facebook)

Poof: “I just hope that when he does die, nobody shows up at his funeral and the press ignores it with the exception of the obituary.” (from CJOnline)

Megan Bailey-Butler: “And everyone keeps tellin me he died like 6 months ago at home?! I knew that was too good to be true!” (from Facebook)

Traveler2009: “So I wonder who the minister is at the church now - who is giving the sermons. One can only hope it is someone with love instead of hate in their heart.” (from CJOnline)

Sonofbettysventilator: “Sorry Nate for all you endured,, But the end could be a new beginning for many! (from CJOnline)

Melynda Mel Lindbloom: “Hmmm I’m sorry who??? Like I have my entire life I will continue to live my life taking care of those important to me and my family. Not worry about a waste of skin no matter the name” (from Facebook)

Kansasteddybear: “I am relieved that his reign of terror is ending. But now is the time for Topeka to show that we are better than they are and just ignore his passing. Give his family the privacy to mourn, that they refused to so many other families.” (from CJOnline)

Glenda Vance Stadley: “Maybe he was excommunicated so that his soul could be forgiven for all his sins. You cannot be forgiven while still in sin.” (from Facebook)

Gojira: “I’m so thankful fer Fred There should be a statue erected. He did more for the gay cause than anybody. Let’s not ferget the good werk he did as a civil Rights lawyer. Go wit God Fred.” (from CJOnline)

Amber Pugh @amberwichita: “Veterans should go to Fred Phelps funeral & hold hands in a circle around the cemetery. Show the family that love is stronger than hate #WBC” (from Twitter)

Tom Thurston: “Revenge is not mine or yours. God will take care of it. We are no better if we choose to act like the Phelps.” (from Facebook)

Intermittent cynic: “Forgive but not forget? Often heard it said that one should “forgive but not forget” when someone has done you wrong. Hard to do that when someone has been responsible for so much unnecessary pain to so many people. Hoping his demise signals the demise of his cult.” (from CJOnline)

Kelly Daby Smith: “In the end we all end up getting what we deserve.” (from Facebook)

Steffen B. Nielsen @steffenbnielsen: “When/if Fred Phelps dies, I think the best solution would be that nobody pays any attention to his funeral. Be better people than the #WBC” (from Twitter)

Carik: “Fred ... was the only thing that kept Topeka in the news. Now what?” (from CJOnline)

Marla Gruendel Brems: “Will WBC protest his funeral?” (from Facebook)

Nadador: “His hate will live on Those thankful for the passing of this unloving person should remember that many of his offspring will carry on his legacy for many years to come. We can only hope that the strength of their convictions might fade, for no one knows what really motivated Fred Sr. to live his life as he did.” (from CJOnline)

Violent_pacificist: “What I hope happened to get Fred ex-communicated is that the Holy Spirit touched his heart and made him see God’s love and how wrong he has been. I hope that in the months since then Fred has been learning more about Truth.” (from CJOnline)

Dustin Steenbock: “I won’t picket him, but I sure won’t show any respect for him. He doesn’t deserve it. The family better think long and hard about cremation. If they put him under ground, they are gonna have a bad time with that plot.” (from Facebook)

Louie: “Hopefully, we see the high road taken. Revenge and hate are not Christian.” (from CJOnline)

Kskarma: “I have been so impressed with the.... ....dignity and restraint that I see in so many of the postings about this story. We must all think about what we have learned over the last many years about compassion and understanding... I feel very sorry for the rest of the family...on many levels...” (from CJOnline)

Mixolydian: “I would imagine... now that he’s excommunicated, WBC is obligated to protest his funeral with signs saying he’s splitting hell wide open or whatever it is they put on their signs. The whole thing is sick and sad.” (from CJOnline)

Paul Segerson: “Please, please, if there is picketing, don’t make it a negative experience. Don’t fight hate with hate. Show compassion and forgiveness. It is between he and God. Turn the other cheek. If we are truly Christian act as such, particulalry in this season of Lent” (from Facebook)

Topeka¬¬_resident: “May the family have the wisdom to abandon the hatred they were taught at the insistence of a misguided man, and the strength to re-unite as a family in their days of suffering and grief.” (from CJOnline)

Rikkitikkitavi: “I, also, hope the same Topeka_Resident Maybe the younger generation had a major impact as to the current path the WBC is on.” (from CJOnline)

Randy Robbins: “An era of hate is ending! Wouldn’t it be great if thousands of people showed up at his funeral with signs! Signs promoting Forgiveness, Peace, Love, and Respect for your fellow man?” (from Facebook)

Metalq2: “News? Why is news worthy. U wouldn’t print a story if I was on my death bed.!!!!!!! I am a helluva lot better man.” (from CJOnline)

Paul Myers @pulmyears : “GOD FLAGS HATE #WBC #Phelps” (from Twitter)

Glenda Vance Stadley: “For the love of God, we should ignore him and the hate he spawned. May he, and the church he built, just sink into oblivion ....” (from Facebook)

Teterville: “Wonder If All Veterans Will Protest At His Journey? Probably not.” (from CJOnline)

Lisa Elliott: “Haven’t you learned anything? They thrive on hate. Why would you want to give them a gift of hating ? Picketing his funeral is a big fat gift with a bow on it. You are wrong if you think they won’t be giddy to see you with a pathetic picket sign spewing the hate we’ve been trying to stop for years.” (from Facebook)

SПAFU @itzSNAFU: “Will there be wifi at the funeral? #wbc #FredPhelpsDeathWatch” (from Twitter)

Traveler 2009: “It is news For those of you who say this isn’t news, I notice you read the article. It IS news as many of us have been wondering if Fred had already passed from this world.” (from CJOnline)

Daniel DeVader: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. I didn’t need to quote a fictional book.” (from Facebook)